Oligothiophene cruciform with a Germanium spiro center: A promising material for organic photovoltaics

A fascinating packing motif is observed in a novel cruciform oligothiophene containing a Ge (violet; see picture) spiro center. Long-range interchain interactions between molecules and strong electronic coherence between orthogonal chains within the molecules are present. Such ordering is advantageous for bulk charge transport, as demonstrated by high short-circuit currents in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.